Moda Towel Pack Apron Tutorial

For those of you that have ever purchased a towel pack produced by Moda Home, you will know that they come packaged in this adorable little fabric envelope.  Well, I have been saving my little envelopes from my towels for whatever reason... because they were so darn cute!

I came up with an idea on using these cute little fabric envelopes {besides sitting in your drawer}... A cute little apron!

What you will need:
Moda towel pack with fabric envelope {I used the Flour Sack Towel envelope 961-12}
2 yards of coordinating ribbon
Coordinating thread
Ruler
Marking Pencil

Instructions:

Be sure your fabric envelope is pressed nice and flat.

Using a ruler and marking pencil, draw a line 5" from each side.  Your middle pocket will be the largest.

Stitch down your envelope on the lines drawn creating 3 pockets.

With your 2 yards of ribbon, fold the ribbon in half to find the center, place the center of the ribbon on the center of your envelope just above the pockets.

Pin the center in place.

Pin down the rest of the ribbon along the top of the pockets.  Be sure not to overlap your pockets so you do not stitch closed the opening.

Stitch your ribbon down along both sides of your ribbon from one end of the envelope to the other.  Be sure to backstitch at each end to reinforce your stitch.

That is it!  Tie it around your waist and you now have a cute little apron to hold craft supplies, money, and more!



All Moda towel packs with envelopes can be purchased from Home a la mode. 

NEW Book: Moda Bake Shop

Check out all the Chefs who have contributed to this fantastic new book coming out Mid- May 2011.

Be sure to pre-order your copy today!

These boots were made for walkin'....

{now I bet you'll have that song stuck in your head ALL day!}
I have lived in Texas for 30 years and this is my VERY FIRST pair of cowgirl boots... EVER!

Who would have ever thought I would have ever bought a pair of cowgirl boots??? NOT ME!  But I did!

I think the country is finally starting to get to me... just a little bit. :)

First Tooth Fairy visit...

Paige lost her very first tooth!!!

She was excited it came out at school... she brought it home in a cute tiny purple treasure box.

Love these first little moments. :0)

Life is good...

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Listen to your Mother...

This WAS my cell phone...

This is my cell phone with a cracked screen...

This is my son's reaction when the phone broke {Actually, more like after I disciplined him and took away his toy}...

How did it get this way? Hmmm... let me tell you a little story. 

Matthew and I took a little grocery shopping trip to Walmart yesterday.  All was happy in our little world.  Matthew found a toy transformer to buy with his allowance and I was at peace getting something checked off my ever long to do list.  Then before I knew it things started to a little array.  Matthew started getting impatient and stubborn. He decided to start digging through things in the cart. Matthew, put that back.  Matthew, stop digging in the cart. MATTHEW, leave it alone.  MATTHEW... MATTHEW... I said LEAVE IT A-L-O-N-E! whew!  So with a twist and a shove, Matthew pushes the cart in a fury.  SLIP, SPLAT... CRACK! On to the floor my phone fell from the cart.

HOLY Mother! You can only guess what happens next.  Oh Yes, when mama ain't happy, nobody's happy.  I was so mad, the tears in my eyes were steaming.  Okay, so I didn't cry, but I sure wanted to. Needless to say, Matthew got into trouble... right in the middle of the store!

Off to the cellular repair shop it must go.  Soon to be a fixed phone and a happy mom.  It is funny when then these things happen, it really makes you think... I am mad that my phone is busted or because my child won't listen and do what I ask? Obviously, it is because my child wouldn't listen... but have to admit... I was pretty darn pissed that I had to spend more money to get my phone fixed.

So, kids... the moral of the story is... listen to your mother or your allowance will end up going towards a new glass screen for her phone and not the toy you wanted.

and the winner is....

Congratulations... christy

You are the winner of the dress shown above from the Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway!

Please email me your dress size and shipping information.

BTW... for those of you that are still looking for your Easter dress... I bought this one and fits fabulous!

I am definitely going to be buying more dresses from Shabby Apple and I am not just saying that.  I tried my dress on as soon as I received it and they know what they are doing. The dress is made to fit real women.  Not the super thin runway models, but for women with curves like we all have!

Best of all... you can get 10% off your purchase by simply entering in the discount code "angelayosten10off" when you checkout.

A Company that Cares...

Moda is hosting a special event, "Just One Star".



 The challenge is to piece, quilt and bind 100 quilts in 100 days using the Flag of Valor pattern by Minick and Simpson. The deadline for star blocks is May 1, 2011 so that we can meet our quilt deadline by Flag Day, June 14, 2011. Read more information about this event here...

One of the greatest things about working for Moda Fabrics/United Notions are the people you work with and most of all the leader of the company... Mark Dunn.  There was article written about him today which really sums it all down to one thing.  Caring.  He is an owner that cares about quilts, the industry... the people. A few years ago, he started a fabric collection under his name, Howard Marcus, that focuses on recreating antique quilts and fabrics to support a cause.  A new cause for each new collection.  You can read more here...

Many of you my already know of Moda Fabrics, however if you don't know very much about Moda, I bid you to come learn more and give sewing a try. You just might get addicted.

Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway

I am very excited to be able to share with you a dress giveaway from the Shabby Apple! You will find many women's dresses and little girls dresses at http://www.shabbyapple.com/. 

Shabby Apple is also giving all my readers a 10% discount code to use on your purchase at http://www.shabbyapple.com/. Simply enter "angelayosten10off" in the coupon code section when you checkout.

Entering to win this fabulous dress is easy. 

Simply "Like" the Shabby Apple on Facebook and let me know you did so with a comment. You can receive additional entries if you "Like" my facebook page and follow my blog.

Winner will be announced on Friday, March 18, 2011. 

GOOD LUCK!

2.28.2011

When a loved one passes away, you tend to find yourself remembering all the memories you have of that person and reflecting back on the life they led.  Mostly, the time you spent with that person.

On 2.28.2011, my Grandpa parted from earth and joined our loving Father in Heaven. He was 83 years old and had lived a full life.  Married to my Grandma for 59 years, together they have 8 Children, 16 Grandchildren, and 14 Great Grandchildren.  He loved to wiggle his ears, play and tease the great grandkids, and be with family. He was a "what you see is what you get" kinda guy. Never tried to impress anyone, just tried to be himself. Take or leave it.  I was able to get to know my Grandpa a little better in the last 15 years when they moved closer to my family and am blessed to have been able to spend that time with him.

He was and still is my Grandpa and I love him very much.  Rest in Peace.

Home a la mode Giveaway!!!

Home a la mode is having a great giveaway today! 

They are giving away a Punctuation Lunch Box Tin, Charm Pack of the Punctuation line from American Jane by Moda, and one of my Rags to Ruffles Patterns. (Retail value $36.99)

Go now and find out how you can enter for a chance to win! 
 
This kit is also available for sale on their website - click here to check it out. They will be choosing a winner on Monday, February 28th. Good luck!

Block-a-palooza Block #8 - Basket of Geese

I am very excited to share with you Block #8 in the Block-a-palooza!  I am a big fan of machine applique, so this block incorporates just that... appliqued geese.

PDF: click here for printer friendly version.

What you need:

Sunkissed #5448-12 {Lemonade solid}
1 - 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" square

Sunkissed #5440-11 {Limeade words}
1 - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square
1 - 2 1/2" x 10 3/4" square

Sunkissed #5447-11 {Limeade gingham}
1 - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square
1 - 2 1/2" x 10 3/4" square

Sunkissed #5443-23 {Orangesicle stripe}
1 - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square
1 - 2 1/2" x 10 3/4" square

 

Sunkissed #5441-26 {Ivory Orange swirl}
1 - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square
1 - 2 1/2" x 10 3/4" square


5" square of Pellon Wonder-Under Fusible Web


Assembly:
All seams are 1/4" unless otherwise noted.

Layout your 8 1/2" square in the middle and your four 10 3/4" strips along the sides as shown. 

Starting with your top strip, match up one end right sides together and stitch along the top and stop about a 1/2" before you reach the other end.

Working clockwise, stitch your next strip on in the same manner, keeping the top end flush with your 8 1/2" square and press open. Go back to the previous piece and match your strips RST and finish stitching your top strip to the end.

Continue working clockwise until you have sewn all four sides down.  Press.

Cut your 5" square of fusible web into four 2 1/2" pieces.  Fuse the fusible web to the wrong side of your remaining four 2 1/2" Squares.  Please refer to your fusible web directions for application.  Once you have fused the fusible web onto the backs, carefully peel the paper backing off of your fabric squares.

Cut your square in half diagonally once, then from one of the large triangles, cut it again in half, creating two small triangles.  You should now have 4 large triangles and 8 small triangles in the four different fabrics.

Lay your triangles{geese} out as shown below... creating a basket of geese.  Iron in place.

You can either machine or hand applique your geese on.  I prefer to machine applique, so I used a tiny blanket stitch to sew around each of the triangles.

Block 8 is now done! 

On to Block #9... Monday, February 21 with the talented Scott Hansen of Blue Nickel Studios.

 
Don't forget to share your blocks at the Bloggers' Block-a-palooza Flickr Group!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Cards for Paige's Class...

Teacher Gifts... Linen Heart Tiger Paw Keychains.

Snow + 12 years + Superbowl = FUN.

This week has been super crazy for Texas weather.  First off, Texas people just AINT ready for all this white stuff! {said with a texan twang}.  The Snow is actually not the bad part and besides it is so pretty! It is the ICE that we get that is bad news.

So, to sum it up there were rolling blackouts, frozen pipes {thankfully none broke}, food supply quickly became low, School Cancelled for 4 DAYS {FOUR}, Snow Angels...

And best of all... Snow Ice Cream... How fun is that!  Love it!  Found a pretty good recipe, too! There were some other ones that used more ingredients, but remember I mentioned the food supply shortage? So, this one worked Beau-ti-mus!  YUMMMM!!!

Saturday, the snow finally began to melt and Hubby and I ventured out without the kiddos to celebrate our 12th Wedding Anniversary.  We went to Texas de Brazil... and it was GOOD!!!!  Best place E-V-E-R!

Today, we enjoyed spending time with the kiddos and watching the Superbowl!

Tomorrow... back to the daily routine... school, work, dinner, bed.